Using a Read's sailmaker.

[Bi111ion]

I have a Read's sailmaker sewing machine. I inherited it when my Mm died, and I used it as a child. My mum used to make dresses as well as mend clothes, tents and canvas work on our (small) boats. I wanted to redo some stitching on my sail covers, but I kept having problems with the thread not picking up or jamming. Can anyone advise me to start with what kind of needles and thread should I use, and how thinck a material can I expect it to cope with. As a child I was always confident that some day I would have a 40 foot ketch and imagined fixing sails and canvas work with Mum's Read's. Although Tui is only 39 feet my dream has eventually come true, but I am frustrated my ability to use a sewing machine does not match my ambitions! Is this little sewing machine not up to it? The brochure says the same model was used aboard British Steel in the Whitbread Round the World Race!

 

[Rigger Mortice]

If the machine has been lying around, unused, for sometime it is worth getting some light oil on all the moving bits. (SWMBO always lectures me about oiling the machine whenever I drag out her old Singer). Also check out the mechanism around the bobbin and dogs and clear away any bits of fluff that may have accumulated.

You may then need to play around with the upper and lower tensions.

I can't tell you what needles I use but the thread is a polyester DB92...whatever that means. FWIW I've just had a look and it had nearly a kilometre of thread on the reel when I first got it.

...and double check that you've threaded it properly as well. And that the bobbin is in the right way round.

 

[oldvarnish]

try. sailrite.com. and have a look at the excellent videos. The machines are pretty similar.

All my Reads' troubles were solved when I got the thread tension right, thanks to some YouTube videos.

As above, oil makes a difference. I find the more I use it the easier it is.

And it's certainly up to the job of sail and canvas repairs.

 

[doug748]

Most initial problems are caused by incorrect threading (as suggested by R M), followed by lower thread tension. Use a new needle. A rule of thumb for lower thread tension is that the bobbin should just support itself when dangled by the thread. Don't be shy of asking for help with the threading.

I tread a narrow line here; but elderly ladies are often the best resource when it comes to sorting out these machines and setting you on the right path. Keep at it, the machine is very capable and it is one of the most productive things you can own for boating.

I should use any standard needle, light thread and an old cotton shirt to get going. Once you are happy with that get some l110/120 jeans needles and V69 thread and have a go with canvas. Don't go heavier than V69 until you are confident the set up will cope with that weight.

 

[prv]

I tread a narrow line here; but elderly ladies are often the best resource when it comes to sorting out these machines and setting you on the right path.

I bought a machine (not a specialist canvas one, but a heavy 1960s domestic that does the job) off eBay and didn't know how to set it up.

Not having any elderly ladies to hand, I created an account on this forum: http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=41 and posted a request for help with some photos - much like when people post here having just bought a boat they don't know what to do with. I got the help I needed, with some cooing over my "beautiful" machine thrown in to boot

Pete

 

[oldvarnish]

This might be quite useful as a refresher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WvYbN6jrXU

 

[sailorgirl]

When you say thread not picking up do you mean it is skipping stitches? If so try changing the needle as it may be bent, if it still occurs then either the foot pressure is not sufficient for the fabric thickness or the timing is out, if the latter you may need the machine serviced unless you can find instructions for adjusting it yourself.

Wrong top tension usually shows up as loops underneath the sewing - if this happens then tighten the top tension little by little until the stitches are balanced. If you can see loops on the top of the sewing then the top tension is too tight.

One final thing - if the foot pressure is too great then lighter fabrics can be pulled down into the dogfeed. Either adjust or use thin paper either side of the fabric.

Good luck with your machine - hope you get plenty of enjoyment out of it. Mine is my favourite bit of kit on our boat!

S

 

[Billjratt]

Another thing to keep an eye on is sticky goo on the needle (in the thread groove above the eye) . If you've repaired sprayhoods etc, they often have double-sided tape in the seams and that transfers to the needle. Spraying with a lubricant can help, but once the goo is there, you will get dropped stitches that cannot be "tuned" out.

 

[savageseadog]

Make sure the bobbin is the right way round in the case.